Leon Rose addresses Mikal Bridges trade criticism

Leon Rose responded to criticisms regarding the Knicks' acquisition of Mikal Bridges, indicating that the backlash ‘bothered’ him. He emphasized that the trade, involving five first-round picks sent to the Brooklyn Nets, was justified and had nothing to do with Bridges' performance. This statement follows intense scrutiny over player transactions during the offseason and adds to ongoing discussions about team strategy. As the NBA season progresses, the Knicks will look to utilize Bridges effectively.

• 8:54 PMYahoo Sports — “That bothered the heck out of me. Because it had …